METTERNICH.

So long As all the shouting's only done in theatres, I think there's no--

CRIES.

[_Without._]

Long live Napoleon!

ALL.

What?--Here, at Baden!--Here!

METTERNICH.

Ridiculous!

Pray, have no fear!

LORD COWLEY.

We must not lose our heads Because a name is shouted.

GENTZ.

He is dead.

TIBURTIUS.

[_On the terrace._]

It's nothing.

METTERNICH.

Yes, but what?

TIBURTIUS.

An Austrian soldier.

METTERNICH.

Austrian?

TIBURTIUS.

Two of them. I saw them.

METTERNICH.

Vexing!

MARIA LOUISA.

[_Entering hurriedly and pale with fear from her room._]

Did you not hear the shout? Oh, horrible!

It brought to mind--One day the people surged About my coach in Parma with that cry!

It's done to vex me!

METTERNICH.

What could it have meant?

TIBURTIUS.

Two of the Duke of Reichstadt's regiment Caught sight of him as he was riding homeward.

You know the deep ditch bordering the road?

His Highness wished to leap it, but his horse Shied, swerved, and backed. The Duke sat firm, And brought him to it again, and--over! Then The men, to applaud him, shouted. And that's all.

METTERNICH.

[_To a lackey._]

Fetch one of them at once!

MARIA LOUISA.

They seek my death!

[_An Austrian sergeant is brought in._]

METTERNICH.

A sergeant! Now, my man, speak up. What meant That shouting?

THE SERGEANT.

I don't know.

METTERNICH.

What! You don't know?

THE SERGEANT.

No; nor downstairs the corporal don't know neither.

He shouted with me. It was good to see The Prince so young and slender on his horse.